U.S. patent number 8,333,028 [Application Number 13/017,105] was granted by the patent office on 2012-12-18 for firearm mode selection mechanism.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Kimber IP, LLC. Invention is credited to John Goliber, Yury Karfiol.
United States Patent |
8,333,028 |
Karfiol , et al. |
December 18, 2012 |
Firearm mode selection mechanism
Abstract
A mode selection mechanism for a firearm is provided including a
lever having an exposed surface and an inner surface and a pivot
pin and a detent pin depending from the inner surface, the pivot
pin extending through a orifice in the frame, the detent pin
extending generally parallel to the pivot pin. The lever is
pivotable from a first position to a second position about the
pivot pin, wherein the detent pin moves in an arc-shaped aperture
in the frame. A flexible stop includes an open ring of spring metal
and is disposed in a ring orifice in the frame. The detent pin is
disposed against the flexible stop wherein, as the lever is moved
from the first position to the second position, the flexible stop
compresses and then uncompresses thereby creating a detent.
Inventors: |
Karfiol; Yury (Brooklyn,
NY), Goliber; John (Leonia, NJ) |
Assignee: |
Kimber IP, LLC (Yonkers,
NY)
|
Family
ID: |
47325181 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/017,105 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/70.01; 89/148;
42/70.05 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A
17/56 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41A
17/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;42/70.01,70.04,70.05,70.08 ;89/148 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Klein; Gabriel
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein, Cohen
& Pokotilow, Ltd.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mode selection mechanism for a firearm, the firearm including
a frame, the mode selection mechanism comprising: (a) a lever
having an exposed surface for receiving a digit of a user and an
inner surface, a pivot pin and a detent pin depending from the
inner surface, the pivot pin extending through a orifice in the
frame, the detent pin extending generally parallel to the pivot
pin, the lever pivotable from a first position to a second position
about the pivot pin, wherein the detent pin moves in an arc-shaped
aperture, wherein, when the lever is in the first position, the
detent pin is at a first position in the arc-shaped aperture and
when the lever is in the second position, the detent pin is at a
second position in the arc-shaped aperture, (b) a flexible stop
comprising an open ring of spring metal disposed in a ring orifice
in the frame, wherein the flexible stop is secured in the ring
orifice, but retaining an ability to compress in a plane of the
ring; (c) the detent pin disposed against the flexible stop
wherein, as the lever is moved from the first position to the
second position, and as the lever is moved from the second position
to the first position, the flexible stop compresses and then
uncompresses thereby creating a detent wherein the lever snaps as
it moves between the positions.
2. The mode selection mechanism for a firearm of claim 1, wherein
the mechanism moves a safety from an unlocked position to a locked
position.
3. The mode selection mechanism for a firearm of claim 1, wherein
the firearm is a semi-automatic pistol.
4. The mode selection mechanism of claim 1, wherein the lever
includes an ambidextrous lever portion disposed on an opposite side
of the frame, wherein the ambidextrous lever portion is integrally
attachable to the lever such that, once attached, the lever and the
ambidextrous lever portion move together as a single unit.
5. A mode selection mechanism for a firearm, the firearm including
a frame, the mode selection mechanism comprising: (a) a lever
having an exposed surface for receiving a digit of a user and an
inner surface, a pivot pin and a detent pin depending from the
inner surface, the pivot pin being generally circular in cross
section and extending through a round orifice in the frame, the
detent pin extending generally parallel to the pivot pin, the lever
pivotable from a first position to a second position about the
pivot pin, wherein the detent pin moves in an arc-shaped aperture,
wherein, when the lever is in the first position, the detent pin is
at a first position in the arc-shaped aperture and when the lever
is in the second position, the detent pin is at a second position
in the arc-shaped aperture, (b) a flexible stop comprising an open
ring of spring metal, the flexible stop disposed in a ring orifice
in the frame, wherein the flexible stop is secured in the ring
orifice, but retaining an ability to compress in a plane of the
ring; (c) the detent pin disposed against the flexible stop
wherein, as the lever is moved from the first position to the
second position, and as the lever is moved from the second position
to the first position, the flexible stop compresses and then
uncompresses thereby creating a detent wherein the lever snaps as
it moves between the positions.
6. The mode selection mechanism for a firearm of claim 5, wherein
the mechanism moves a safety from an unlocked position to a locked
position.
7. The mode selection mechanism for a firearm of claim 5, wherein
the firearm is a semi-automatic pistol.
8. The mode selection mechanism for a firearm of claim 5, wherein
the lever includes an ambidextrous lever portion disposed on an
opposite side of the frame, wherein the ambidextrous lever portion
is integrally attachable to the lever such that, once attached, the
lever and the ambidextrous lever portion move together as a single
unit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a mode selection mechanism for
a firearm. Mode selection mechanisms may be present for various
reasons for firearms. For example, such a mode selection mechanism
may be used to engage and disengage a firearm safety. It would be
highly beneficial to have a simple, reliable, easy to maintain, and
inexpensive mode selection mechanism that may be used, for example,
to engage and disengage a firearm safety.
All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A mode selection mechanism for a firearm such as an automatic
pistol is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the mode selection
mechanism includes a lever, a flexible stop and associated
apertures in the frame of the firearm. The lever has an exposed
surface for receiving a digit, such as a thumb of a user, and an
inner surface. A pivot pin and a detent pin depend from the inner
surface of the lever where the pivot pin extends through an orifice
in the frame and the detent pin extends generally parallel to the
pivot pin. The lever is pivotable from a first position to a second
position about the pivot pin. The detent pin moves in an arc-shaped
aperture in the frame, wherein, when the lever is in the first
position, the detent pin is at a first position in the arc-shaped
aperture and when the lever is in the second position, the detent
pin is at a second position in the arc-shaped aperture.
The flexible stop includes an open ring of spring metal disposed in
a ring orifice in the frame. The flexible stop is generally secured
in the ring orifice, but is able to compress generally in a plane
of the ring. The detent pin is disposed against the flexible stop
wherein, as the lever is moved from the first position to the
second position, and as the lever is moved from the second position
to the first position, the flexible stop compresses and then
uncompresses thereby creating a detent wherein the lever snaps as
it moves between the positions.
In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism moves a safety from an
unlocked position to a locked position. It is intended that the
mode selection mechanism be used for substantially any type of
firearm, including, for example, pistols (such as the
semi-automatic pistol described here) and rifles.
The lever includes may include an ambidextrous lever portion
disposed on an opposite side of the frame, where the ambidextrous
lever portion is integrally attachable to the lever such that, once
attached, the lever and the ambidextrous lever portion move
together as a single unit.
In a more detailed embodiment of the present invention, a mode
selection mechanism for a firearm includes a lever having an
exposed surface for receiving a digit (such as a thumb) of a user
and an inner surface. A pivot pin and a detent pin depend from the
inner surface of the lever. The pivot pin is generally circular in
cross section and extends through a round orifice in the frame. The
detent pin extends generally parallel to the pivot pin, the lever
pivotable from a first position to a second position about the
pivot pin, wherein the detent pin moves in an arc- shaped aperture,
wherein, when the lever is in the first position, the detent pin is
at a first position in the arc-shaped aperture and when the lever
is in the second position, the detent pin is at a second position
in the arc-shaped aperture. A flexible stop includes an open ring
of spring metal. The flexible stop is disposed in a ring orifice in
the frame, wherein the flexible stop is generally secured in the
ring orifice, but retaining an ability to compress generally in a
plane of the ring. The detent pin is disposed against the flexible
stop wherein, as the lever is moved from the first position to the
second position, and as the lever is moved from the second position
to the first position, the flexible stop compresses and then
uncompresses thereby creating a detent wherein the lever snaps as
it moves between the positions.
Again, the mechanism moves a safety from an unlocked position to a
locked position. It is intended that the mode selection mechanism
be used for substantially any type of firearm, including, for
example, pistols (such as the semi-automatic pistol described
here), shotguns and rifles.
The lever may include an ambidextrous lever portion disposed on an
opposite side of the frame, where the ambidextrous lever portion is
integrally attachable to the lever such that, once attached, the
lever and the ambidextrous lever portion move together as a single
unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described in conjunction with the following
drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements
and wherein:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a semi-automatic firearm having a
firearm mode selection mechanism in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the semi-automatic firearm
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the semi-automatic firearm of FIG.
1, with the firearm's slide, barrel and other elements removed for
clarity;
FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of a frame and the mode
selection mechanism of the firearm of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the frame and mode selection
mechanism of the firearms of FIG. 1, taken substantially along
lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6a is an isometric view of a lever of the mode selection
mechanism of the firearm of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 6b is an isometric view of an ambidextrous lever portion of
the mode selection mechanism of the firearm of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6c is an isometric view of a flexible stop of the mode
selection mechanism of the firearm of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7a is a side elevation, cross-sectional view of the frame and
mode selection mechanism of the firearm of FIG. 1, taken with the
slide removed, taken substantially along lines B-B of FIG. 5, with
its lever in a first, up, position;
FIG. 7b is a side elevation, cross-sectional view of the frame and
mode selection mechanism of the firearm of FIG. 1, taken with the
slide removed, taken substantially along lines B-B of FIG. 5, with
its lever in a second, down, position;
FIG. 8a is a simplified cross sectional of the firearm of FIG. 1,
shown with the mode selection mechanism for activating and
deactivating a safety, wherein the safety is in an on position;
and
FIG. 8b is a simplified cross sectional of the firearm of FIG. 1,
shown with the mode selection mechanism for activating and
deactivating a safety, wherein the safety is in an off
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention will be illustrated in more detail with reference to
the following embodiments, but it should be understood that the
present invention is not deemed to be limited thereto.
Referring now the drawing, wherein like reference numbers refer to
like elements throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGS.
1 and 2 a firearm, i.e., pistol 10, having a mode selection
mechanism 30 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. In this embodiment, the firearm is a
semi-automatic pistol, which, as a category, are well known.
However, the mode selection mechanism may be used with
substantially any type of firearm, including, but not limited to
pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns and the like.
The pistol 10 of this embodiment includes a frame 12, slide 14,
trigger 16, barrel 18 magazine 20, magazine chamber 22, firing pin
mechanism 24, trigger bar 26 and various other elements of an
automatic pistol, as are well known.
As can best be seen in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 7a and 7b, The mode selection
mechanism 30 includes a lever 32 and a flexible stop 34, optional
ambidextrous lever portion 64 and related features of the frame 12
(as will be discussed in more detail below). The lever 32 has an
exposed surface 36 that is disposed on the exterior of the frame 12
adjacent to the trigger 16 for receiving a thumb (or any other
digit) of a user. The lever 32 has an inner surface 38. Depending
from the inner surface 38 are two pins, a pivot pin 40 and a detent
pin 42. The pivot pin 42 is generally circular in cross section and
extends through a round orifice 44 in the frame 12 located in a
convenient and accessible position to a user. The detent pin 42
extends generally parallel to the pivot pin 40. In the frame 12,
adjacent to the round orifice 44, is an arc-shaped aperture 46 that
receives the detent pin 42 of the lever 32.
The lever 32 is pivotable about the pivot pin 40 in the round
orifice 44 from a first position (see FIGS. 7a and 8a) to a second
position (see FIGS. 7b and 8b) wherein the detent pin 42 moves in
the arc-shaped aperture 46. That is, pivotable movement of the
lever 32 is limited by the detent pin 42 being captured within the
arc-shaped aperture 46 of the frame 12. When the lever 32 is in the
first position of FIGS. 7a and 8a, the detent pin 42 is at a first
position 48 in the arc-shaped aperture 46. When the lever 32 is in
the second position of FIGS. 7b and 8b, the detent pin 42 is at the
second position 50 in the arc-shaped aperture 46.
The flexible stop 34 is provided as shown in detail in FIG. 6c.
Essentially, the flexible stop 34 is a ring 52 made from a spring
metal that has an integral leg 54 depending from an end 56 of the
ring 52. The leg 54 is preferably generally perpendicular to the
ring 52 and is used to secure the flexible stop 34 in a proper
position in the frame 12 adjacent to the lever 32 and its
arc-shaped aperture 46. The flexible stop 34 is disposed in a ring
orifice 58 in the frame 12 where the plane of the ring 52 of the
flexible stop 34 is generally parallel to a side 60 of the frame
12. Therefore, the flexible stop 34 is generally secured in the
ring orifice 58, but retains the ability to compress generally in a
plane of the ring 52.
The detent pin 42 of the lever 32 is disposed against the ring 52
of the flexible stop 34 wherein, as the lever 32 is moved from the
first position to the second position (see FIGS. 7a, 7b, 8a, and
8b, as described above), and as the lever 32 is moved from the
second position to the first position, the flexible stop 34
compresses somewhat and then uncompresses, thereby creating a
detent wherein the lever snaps as it moves between the
positions.
The lever 32 may be an ambidextrous lever as best shown in FIGS. 4
and 5. Here, the round orifice 44 in the frame 12 extends entirely
through the frame 12. Here, the lever 32 has an ambidextrous lever
portion 64. The lever 32 is placed through the round orifice 44 on
the left side 66 of the frame 12 and the ambidextrous lever portion
64 is placed through the round orifice 44 on the right side 68 of
the frame 12. The lever 32 and the ambidextrous lever portion 64
are then integrally attached to one another, in, for example, the
hole and pin attachment 70, as best seen in FIG. 4, where the lever
32 and ambidextrous lever portion 64 have mating male and female
ends that telescope into one another and are secured to one another
with a pair of pins 72a, 72b, for example, spring pins. Once
secured to one another, the lever 32 and the ambidextrous lever
portion 64 move together as a single unit.
In a preferred embodiment, the lever 32 and accompanying detent pin
42 of the mode selection mechanism 30 engages the sear 76 to
provide a safety from an unlocked position to a locked position.
Such a safety can be any of a number of different types for
firearms. For the automatic pistol 10, the lever 32 is used as a
thumb safety shown in an on position in FIG. 8a, and, in the off
position in FIG. 8b.
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference
to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in
the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein
without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
* * * * *